Major Shaitan Singh, Indian Army Officer (Major)
Indian Army Officer (Major)

Major Shaitan Singh

Born 1 December 1924 · Rajasthan — Died 18 November 1962

Commanded the 13 Kumaon Regiment company at the Battle of Rezang La in 1962 against overwhelming Chinese forces.

Major Shaitan Singh Bhati, PVC was an officer in the Indian Army and a posthumous recipient of the Param Vir Chakra, India's highest military decoration for valour. Born in Jodhpur State, Singh joined the Indian army in 1949 and by 1962 had reached the rank of major. During the Battle of Rezang La in the 1962 Sino-Indian War, he commanded a company of the 13 Kumaon Regiment against a significantly larger Chinese force in Ladakh. Despite being outnumbered and under heavy fire, he moved between posts to organise the defence.

✨

A detail that
surprised us

“

The perfectly preserved battle-ready bodies of Major Shaitan Singh and his 120 men were discovered in February 1963, three months after the fierce November 1962 battle at Rezang La.

The Story

1
In November 1962 at Rezang La, located 16,000 feet above sea level in Ladakh, Major Shaitan Singh led 120 soldiers of the 13 Kumaon Regiment against over 2,000 Chinese troops, organizing defense posts under relentless artillery and machine gun fire.
2
Despite suffering serious wounds from Medium Machine Gun fire, Major Singh moved between bunkers, motivating his men to hold their ground, demonstrating tactical leadership in extreme high-altitude combat conditions.
3🚩 Born in Jodhpur State in 1924, he joined the Indian Army in 1949 and rose to the rank of Major by 1962, embodying the ethos "either you win or die," a principle he embraced throughout his military career.
4When critically injured during the battle, Singh ordered his men to leave him behind and return to battalion headquarters to report the bravery of their company, prioritizing their survival over his own life.

🏅 Awards & Honours

—
Param Vir Chakra (posthumous)

🔍 One thing most people don't know

“

In the 1962 Battle of Rezang La, Major Shaitan Singh commanded 120 men against over 2,000 Chinese soldiers, highlighting a staggering numerical disadvantage in one of the deadliest high-altitude combats.

🖼️

Through the Years

1 photograph from the archives
Statue honoring Major Shaitan Singh in Jodhpur, Rajasthan, India (2014)
Statue honoring Major Shaitan Singh in Jodhpur, Rajasthan, India (2014)
2014

🗓️ A Life in Moments

🕊️
Birth
Birth of Shaitan Singh Bhati
Born in Jodhpur State, Rajasthan, laying the foundation for a future military hero.
1924
⚡
Career
Joined the Indian Army
Shaitan Singh enlisted in the Indian Army soon after independence, starting his defense career.
1949
⚡
Career
Battle of Rezang La
Led Charlie Company of 13 Kumaon Regiment in a fierce defense against Chinese forces in Ladakh.
1962
⚡
Career
Gravely wounded in battle
Major Singh was seriously injured by machine gun fire during the intense fighting at Rezang La.
1962
⚡
Career
Ordered men to retreat
Despite wounds, he told his men to leave him and return to report the company’s valor to battalion HQ.
1962
🕊️
Death
Death in Battle
Major Shaitan Singh died during the Battle of Rezang La, embodying the motto "either you win or die."
1962
🌟
Other
Bodies found in battle positions
The remains of Singh and his company were discovered months later, still in their defensive stances.
1963
More moments to come...
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🗝️Discoveries

Swipe to uncover hidden stories
01 / 05
👤PERSONAL

Major Singh’s last order was to have his men leave him behind while he faced the enemy alone, ensuring their survival and the continuation of the fight.

02 / 05
🌍HISTORICAL IMPACT

The battle preservation was so intense that the bodies of the soldiers were found in February 1963, months after the conflict, still in battle positions, a rare military occurrence.

03 / 05
👤PERSONAL

Major Shaitan Singh was known to be shy and introverted off the battlefield but showed extraordinary bravery and leadership during combat, especially noted by surviving officers decades later.

No quote recorded for Major Shaitan Singh yet.

🎙️ Speeches & Recordings

These recordings preserve the legacy of Bharat's icons
The Heroic Battle of Rezang La: Major Shaitan Singh's Bravery and Sacrifice
·YouTube
More from this archive
The Heroic Battle of Rezang La: Major Shaitan Singh's Bravery and Sacrifice
01
The Heroic Battle of Rezang La: Major Shaitan Singh's Bravery and Sacrifice
YouTube
120 Bahadur, Heroic Battle of Rezang La: Major Shaitan Singh's Bravery |Ft Hon Capt Ramchander Yadav
02
120 Bahadur, Heroic Battle of Rezang La: Major Shaitan Singh's Bravery |Ft Hon Capt Ramchander Yadav
YouTube
Major Shaitan Singh & the Battle of Rezang La by Aadesh Singh | Sino-Indian War 1962 | UPSC History
03
Major Shaitan Singh & the Battle of Rezang La by Aadesh Singh | Sino-Indian War 1962 | UPSC History
YouTube
Rezang La: How 120 Indian Soldiers Stopped 5,000 Chinese Troops | 120 Bahadur | Major Shaitan Singh
04
Rezang La: How 120 Indian Soldiers Stopped 5,000 Chinese Troops | 120 Bahadur | Major Shaitan Singh
YouTube
मेजर शैतान सिंह की रोंगटे खड़े कर देने वाली कहानी | Kahani Express | Hindi Stories
05
मेजर शैतान सिंह की रोंगटे खड़े कर देने वाली कहानी | Kahani Express | Hindi Stories
YouTube
Son of Major Shaitan Singh Visits Rezang La | Emotional Tribute Paid
06
Son of Major Shaitan Singh Visits Rezang La | Emotional Tribute Paid
YouTube
वो सैनिक जो आखिरी सांस तक अपने पैर से मशीन-गन चलाता रहा | Param Vir Chakra Major Shaitan Singh Story
07
वो सैनिक जो आखिरी सांस तक अपने पैर से मशीन-गन चलाता रहा | Param Vir Chakra Major Shaitan Singh Story
YouTube
Major Shaitan Singh Bhati | Rezang la War | Kumao Regiment | by Priyadarshni Bhati
08
Major Shaitan Singh Bhati | Rezang la War | Kumao Regiment | by Priyadarshni Bhati
YouTube

🌱 What changed because of them

Major Shaitan Singh's valor at Rezang La became a symbol of supreme sacrifice and inspired the Indian Army to emphasize high-altitude warfare training and tactics. His story is commemorated in military institutions and cultural works, reinforcing the ethos of courage under overwhelming odds. The defense of the Chushul sector helped maintain strategic supply lines vital for India’s military presence in Ladakh.

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